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Looking for easy 3 ingredient desserts you can make without a long grocery list or a lot of time in the kitchen? These simple dessert ideas are perfect for those nights when you want a sweet treat, need something quick for a party, or want an easy recipe your kids can help make.
I love a good homemade dessert, but I don’t always want to spend hours measuring, mixing, baking, and cleaning up afterward. Sometimes the best desserts are the ones that use simple ingredients you already have in the pantry or fridge.
That’s why 3 ingredient desserts are so handy. They are quick, budget-friendly, and easy enough for beginner bakers. Many of these recipes use basic ingredients like peanut butter, cake mix, chocolate chips, cream cheese, bananas, pudding mix, or Cool Whip.
Whether you need a no bake dessert, an easy cookie recipe, a simple party treat, or a last-minute dessert for your family, this list has plenty of sweet ideas to try.
15 Best Easy 3 Ingredient Desserts
Why You’ll Love These Easy 3 Ingredient Desserts
These easy dessert recipes are great because they are:
- Quick to make
- Budget-friendly
- Beginner-friendly
- Perfect for kids to help with
- Great for parties, potlucks, holidays, or weekend treats
- Made with simple ingredients
- Easy to dress up with toppings, sprinkles, whipped cream, or fresh fruit
Some of these desserts are no bake recipes, while others only need a few minutes in the oven. A few are great for gifting, and others are perfect for serving after dinner when everyone wants something sweet.
When to Make 3 Ingredient Desserts
These simple desserts are perfect for so many occasions, including:
- Backyard barbecues
- Holiday treats
- Birthday parties
- Potluck desserts
- After-dinner treats
- Weekend baking with kids
- Dinner parties
- Teacher gifts
- Neighbor gifts
- Last-minute company
- Easy summer desserts
The best part is that you don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated instructions. Just pick a recipe, grab your few ingredients, and make something sweet.
These 3 ingredient recipes will have you making the perfect dessert with little effort and little time. With basic ingredients and just a few steps, these simple desserts are perfect for beginners in the kitchen, kids to help make, or just when you want something quick and easy.
Whip up one of these for your next celebration or a fun weekend treat for your family! I think you’re going to find your new favorite desserts!
15 Easy 3 Ingredient Desserts You’re Going to Love
I’ve listed the ingredients needed for each easy recipe, so you can quickly see which recipes you may be able to make with the simple ingredients you already have on hand.
A quick note: Some recipes include optional ingredients like sprinkles, vanilla extract, toppings, or fruit. Those are just extras if you want to dress the dessert up a little!
Some of these recipes are awesome no bake desserts, some can be dressed up for a special occasion, and others are perfectly simple for a family get together!
I hope you find your favorite new easy dessert recipe!
1. 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies from Feel Good Foodie
These 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies are quick and easy to make. These delicious cookies are perfect for an after school treat or something to take to a get together.
They’re made with only peanut butter, egg and sugar so they’re naturally flourless & dairy-free, too. And you probably already have those ingredients on hand!
Bake these on parchment paper on your baking sheet for easy cleanup!
Ingredients Needed:
- creamy peanut butter
- sugar
- one egg
2. 3-Ingredient Buttery Shortbread Cookies from Chew Out Loud
These buttery shortbread cookies and soft and perfectly sweet. You can add festive sprinkles for a party, or even package them up for a delicious gift!
Ingredients Needed:
- butter
- brown sugar
- all purpose flour
3. 3 Ingredient Brownies from The Big Man’s World
Make these brownies in about 20 minutes for a quick, healthier treat after dinner!
Ingredients Needed:
- 3 large bananas
- almond butter
- cocoa powder
4. Easy Chocolate Mousse from Kitchen Cents
You are definitely going to want to try this no bake recipe – you can make it in just 5 minutes!
This would be a beautiful dessert to prepare in small, glass serving dishes for a party – or a fancy treat for your family!
Whip this up in your electric mixer to enjoy anytime!
Ingredients Needed:
- heavy whipping cream
- cocoa powder
- powdered sugar
- almond extract (optional)
5. Chocolate Truffles from I Heart Naptime
Make this fancy (but easy) treat at home for a special dessert perfect for any holiday or celebration!
The base for these truffles are simple and easy, and you can make the toppings as simple or decadent as you wish!
Ingredients Needed:
- 16 oz chocolate
- heavy cream
- butter
- Optional Flavors: vanilla extract, almond extract, mint extract
- Optional Toppings: sprinkles, chopped nuts, coconut, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, melted white chocolate for dipping or drizzling
6. 3 Ingredient Easy Chocolate Fudge from Foodie and Wine
Fudge is such a treat, and it can be so simple!
Package some up for holiday gifts, or a special celebration!
Ingredients Needed:
- semi sweet chocolate chips
- condensed milk
- vanilla extract
7. 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge from The Spruce Eats
A classic peanut butter fudge recipe made even easier!
Treat your family to a special dessert this weekend, or make some to give as holiday or thank you gifts.
Ingredients Needed:
- salted butter
- crunchy peanut butter
- confectioner’s sugar
8. 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies from Belly Full
Craving some sugar cookies? Try this easy recipe with only 3 ingredients!
Have your kids help you mix the cookie dough and add sprinles!
Your family will love these for a weekend treat or with festive sprinkles for a celebration of any kind!
Ingredients Needed:
- unsalted butter
- granulated sugar
- all purpose flour
- optional: vanilla extract
- optional: sprinkles
9. 3 Ingredient Chocolate Cheesecake from Kirbie’s Cravings
If you’re like me and get cheesecake cravings at random times, you’ll want to try this cheesecake recipe right away! And you might just have all the ingredients you need already at home!
This chocolate cheesecake is light and airy – a perfect after dinner dessert! Dress it up a little with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.
Ingredients Needed:
- 3 eggs (you’ll need to separate the egg yolks and egg whites)
- milk chocolate chips
- cream cheese
10. 3 Ingredient Strawberry Icebox Cake from Eating On A Dime
This quick, no bake dessert is perfect for a summer treat and can be made ahead of time for an easy party treat!
Add this to your list of favorite no bake desserts!
Ingredients Needed:
- cool whip
- graham crackers
- strawberries
11. 3 Ingredient Cake Mix Cobbler
Mix up a yummy, fruity cobbler for guests or an after dinner treat for your family.
This one calls for only 3 ingredients! Serve it with vanilla ice cream for the perfect summer dessert.
Ingredients Needed:
- white cake mix
- mixed frozen fruit
- sprite
12. 3 Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies from I Heart Naptime
We make these easy cake mix cookies often and love changing them up based on what ingredients we have on hand. You can use any flavor cake mix and add whatever toppings you have!
Ingredients Needed:
- cake mix
- vegetable oil
- eggs
- Optional Mix-in’s – chocolate chips, m&m’s, etc.
13. 3 Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake from Everyday Family Cooking
Make a simple and easy cheesecake with a store bought graham cracker crust and an easy to whip up filling!
Keep it simple or dress it up with fresh strawberries for a simple or special occasion.
Ingredients Needed:
- heavy cream
- cream cheese
- sweetened condensed milk
- optional: vanilla
- + graham cracker crust
14. 3 Ingredient Banana Pudding from Everyday Family Cooking
Banana pudding is a classic dessert perfect for a weekend treat for your family or an outdoor BBQ dessert.
Whip this one up with just 3 simple ingredients!
Ingredients Needed:
- bananas
- vanilla pudding mix
- cool whip
15. 3 Ingredient Oreo Balls from I Heart Naptime
Make some delicious Oreo balls for a special holiday treat, a family celebration, or to package up for sweet gifts!
The chocolate drizzles or festive sprinkles will dress these up for a special treat!
Ingredients Needed:
- oreo cookies
- cream cheese
- baking chocolate or melting wafers (milk chocolate or white chocolate)
These easy 3 ingredient desserts are perfect treats to enjoy with your family, package as gifts, prepare for a celebration, or secretly enjoy yourself! 😉
You’ll love using simple ingredients you already have on hand to create these easy desserts, and of course, you’ll love how delicious they are!
I hope you found some new recipes to try and some new family favorite desserts, too!
Tips for Making Easy 3 Ingredient Desserts
Here are a few simple tips to make these desserts even easier:
Check your pantry first.
You may already have cake mix, peanut butter, sugar, pudding mix, chocolate chips, or graham crackers on hand.
Keep a few dessert basics stocked.
Cake mix, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, peanut butter, pudding mix, Cool Whip, and cream cheese can help you make easy desserts quickly.
Use toppings to make simple desserts feel special.
Sprinkles, whipped cream, fresh fruit, chocolate drizzle, powdered sugar, or chopped nuts can make a basic dessert look fancy.
Let kids help.
Many of these recipes are simple enough for kids to help stir, scoop, roll, sprinkle, or decorate.
Make no bake desserts ahead of time.
Icebox cakes, cheesecake, truffles, fudge, and Oreo balls are great make-ahead treats for parties or holidays.
Best 3 Ingredient Desserts for Parties
If you need an easy dessert to take to a party, these are great options:
- Strawberry icebox cake
- Oreo balls
- Chocolate truffles
- Chocolate fudge
- Peanut butter fudge
- Cake mix cookies
- Cake mix cobbler
These desserts are easy to transport, easy to serve, and perfect for sharing.
Best 3 Ingredient Desserts for Kids to Help Make
If your kids love helping in the kitchen, try one of these simple recipes:
- Peanut butter cookies
- Sugar cookies
- Cake mix cookies
- Oreo balls
- Banana pudding
- Strawberry icebox cake
Kids can help mix, roll, decorate, layer, and add sprinkles. It’s a fun way to make a simple family treat together.
Easy Desserts Don’t Have to Be Complicated
These easy 3 ingredient desserts are perfect when you want something sweet without spending a lot of time or money. Whether you need a quick no bake dessert, a simple cookie recipe, a fun party treat, or a last-minute dessert for your family, this list has plenty of delicious ideas.
I love recipes like these because they prove that dessert doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make something sweet, fun, and memorable for your family.
Pick one recipe to try this week, and you might just find a new favorite easy dessert!
You might also enjoy grabbing my free 5-Day Dinner Rescue Kit if dinnertime has been feeling stressful lately. It gives you five simple dinner ideas planned out for you, so you can stop wondering what’s for dinner and get a little breathing room back in your week.
Hungry for more ideas?
Check out these great posts for meal plans and easy dinner recipes to help you eat at home and save more money!
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- One Month Meal Plan: 30 Dinner Ideas
- 7 Frugal Dinner Ideas: Cheap Meals for the Week
- 10 Easy Ways to Use Leftover Shredded Chicken Breast
- 25 Easy 3 Ingredient Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes You Can Make for Dinner Tonight
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